A French television debate intended to feature the top French candidates for the European Parliament may now feature a German MEP – Martin Schulz, the president of the European Parliament, and the Party of European Socialists’ candidate for presidency of the European Commission.

The debate, scheduled for the 22 May edition of the ‘Des Paroles et des Actes’ programme on France2, was supposed to feature the leading MEP candidate from each of the French parties. But Jean-Christophe Cambadélis, the head of the French Socialist Party, said he wants to give his spot in the debate to Schulz in order to force a debate with Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National. The broadcaster is not keen on the idea, according to sources.

The move is also thought to be a protest against the decision by French broadcasters not to air a pan-European debate between Commission presidency candidates today (15 May.) The Socialist Party has complained that the debate in France has been entirely focused on national issues, which has given an advantage to Le Pen.

The Socialists had requested a debate between Le Pen and Schulz in early April, believing that she would embarrass herself with a lack of knowledge of European Union issues. Le Pen refused to take part in that debate.

Late last week, François Bayrou, the leader of the liberal MoDem party, said he may give his spot to Guy Verhofstadt, the ALDE group’s candidate for the Commission presidency.

The Front National has told French media that Le Pen would be willing to participate in the debate if France2 and Schulz agree to it. But she mocked the invitation from Schulz. “It is typical that the PS sends a German to discuss the future of France,” she told Le Lab Politique.

It is unlikely that the French centre-right UMP party will invite Jean-Claude Juncker, the centre-right European People’s Party’s candidate for the Commission presidency, to take its place in the
debate, according to party sources.